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Well, I had to go back up north yesterday. The weather wasn’t great, but I had to go to the Draper, UT DLV to test for my endorsements since that’s where I started my CDL process.

I had three “written” tests to take on the computer. The tanker and double/triple trailer endorsement tests were 20 questions each and the hazmat test was 30 questions. I got 90% on the tanker, 95% on doubles/triples, and I got 100% on the hazmat test Of course, I still have my motorcycle endorsement which means I can legally operate any motor vehicle in Utah except a city, tour, or school bus or a taxi cab I’m halfway tempted to get those just because I can, but not right now

I may be back later tonight, but if not, here’s wishing everyone a Happy New Year

It wasn’t easy, but I managed to pull it off! I earned my Class A Commercial Driver’s License

15 Dec 2014 – Me with the first rig I took out on the road

I left home on 7 December 2014 and returned on 27 December. I had two Sundays and Christmas day off, but it was just too far to return to Price for an afternoon when I knew I’d be as tired as I was.

17 Dec 2014 – This was the truck I drove the most

We started off on the road by learning to double clutch, properly up-shift and downshift, and added on from there. I had to pass a pre-trip inspection test, a backing test, and a road test. I had good times and tough times, but I think it was worth it

28 Dec 2014 – I finally took the bike out again!!!

I took my motorcycle out fir the first time in over three weeks today and was struck by what I’ve done. I managed to drive a big rig through city traffic, tight turns, and on the freeway. I’d get out of the rig and into my car and I swear the HHR felt like a go cart. Then I got on the bike today and I’m on a vehicle with a max gross weight of less than a thousand pounds with no steel around me. The big rig has a max gross weight of about 80,000 pounds and there’s a lot of protection in that cab!

The best way I could sum up this past year is probably rough. I lost my job in the IT field back in April after working with the company for eighteen months and went on unemployment. Sadly, there are pretty much no other IT jobs around this area, so I was applying for anything I thought I might be able to do.

I applied for loss prevention at a big box store, parts driver for a service shop, tire technician at a chain store, office assistant for a state facility, cell phone salesperson, shift lead at a fast food restaurant… If I thought I could do it, I applied. Alas, while I attended interviews and even second interviews, nobody wanted to actually hire me. I was apparently overqualified for some, underqualified for others, and who knows what else.

Big opportunity in a small space

I’d grumbled and talked about maybe getting my Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) quite a bit, so Cindy made sure to pass the notice you see above on to me. I figured it sounded like a good opportunity to talk to someone who knows the real deal when it comes to this sort of thing. My unemployment payments were about to run out and I was feeling just a wee bit stressed. I was pretty much broke and my credit ain’t exactly stellar, but maybe someone there would know something Cindy and I didn’t about how to make this happen.

I was and still am more glad I went to that event at the museum I met Gail with Roadmaster along with one of their instructors and a couple of local industry people. I explained my situation and asked for any help I could get. And I got more help than I ever expected

I worked with Gail, several different people in the trucking industry, and even more people in the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The end result of much peoplework and paperwork is that I am taking part in a program administered by the state of Utah with federal government funding to train people for jobs that are actually in demand That’s right – I start school MONDAY

I’m going to be up at Roadmaster’s school near Salt Lake City for three weeks of twelve hour days while staying in a hotel. Cindy is going to do the best single parent impersonation she can and take care of Ember all by herself. Once I graduate at the end of December, I’ll have my Class A CDL along with several endorsements.

Now, I know some are thinking that a CDL is great, but you still need to get an actual job when you’re done. This is one of the things I’m thrilled beyond belief about – I already have a job waiting for me! Actually, I have several jobs waiting for me and I get to choose which is messing with my brain a bit after so long on unemployment

I’m going to cut this off here due to time constraints, but I will update my status when I have the chance

“This year gone by ain’t been a piece of cake!”
PREACH IT, JIMMY !!!
Seriously, it’s been a tough year and that’s putting it mildly. That said, I still have Ember, I still have Cindy, I still have my family, still have my friends, and I’m still on the better side of the ground
So, I’m 38 today. Well, there’s less than an hour until midnight here, so I’m gonna call it close enough. I was born 1 December 1976 in San Diego, CA which was a Wednesday. Saying a lot has happened since then is an understatement, but I just know there’s so much more to see and do in the future.

This song, Trip Around The Sun, is one of my favorites from Jimmy and I’m sure to play it on the anniversary of my arrival. I hope you enjoy it, too
Have a wonderful day, everyone
I love the airplanes, but click here if you’d like to hear a better quality recording

Well, it’s that time of the year again. It’s winter in Utah. We’ve had a few flakes in the past week, but just look at what happened tonight! The forecast called for about 0.5″ of snow accumulation. I think the forecast was just a wee bit off

23 Nov 2014 – Looking at the snow on my back deck

As you can see, there’s plenty of snow on our back deck. All those tracks are from the neighborhood cats that come by for a snack and a drink as we leave food and water out year round for a cat that was abandoned here by the previous residents and that refuses to come inside when it’s -20° out.

After I took this pic, I noticed that my weather station receiver inside showed zero wind when I knew the wind was blowing outside. I went back out and noticed that the anemometer was caked in snow and couldn’t turn. A few seconds with a broom fixed that

23 Nov 2014 – Current weather conditions

And here are some recent weather conditions from my home weather station. It’s cold, breezy, and wet. That said, it’s really not THAT bad As long as the snow melts in the next couple of days, I’ll still get out and ride my motorcycle

That’s all for now, but I’ll be back soon Have fun, stay safe, and stay warm everyone

OK, so the whole day wasn’t this way. I was out on my motorcycle earlier and it was cold and windy, but it was also sunny After I dropped by home to take care of some stuff, it got gray and it reminded me of one of my favorite songs:

I remember when Hazy Shade of Winter as performed by The Bengals was all over the radio. It’s really appropriate for here as we do get snow unlike San Diego

VAQ-134, The Garudas have completed the last active deployment of the Venerable Grumman EA-6B Prowler.

I was a young Airman Apprentice serving aboard USS Independence CV-62 as Fly One Blueshirt on the Flight Deck when VAQ-132 came aboard as part of Carrier Air Wing Seven…………..This was the first shipboard deployment for the Prowler…………………………Spring 1974……………………………I was 19. I turned 20 in September of that year…..while at Sea in The Mediterranean. Do the Arithmetic……………………..